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Related Experiment Videos

Herpetic whitlow.

Ines B Wu1, Robert A Schwartz

  • 1UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103-2714, USA.

Cutis
|August 7, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Herpetic whitlow is a painful finger infection caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 or 2. While healthcare worker infections have decreased, it remains common in children and adults due to autoinoculation.

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Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Herpetic whitlow is a painful cutaneous infection affecting the fingers or toes.
  • It is caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 or 2.
  • Historically, healthcare workers were primarily affected, but universal precautions have reduced occupational cases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the epidemiology and clinical presentation of herpetic whitlow.
  • To differentiate HSV type associations in different age groups.
  • To outline the typical prodromal symptoms and physical findings.

Main Methods:

  • This abstract is based on a review of existing literature and clinical observations.
  • No new experimental methods were employed.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Data synthesis focused on etiology, transmission, demographics, and clinical manifestations.

    • Main Results:

    • Herpetic whitlow affects the distal phalanx, caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2.
    • Adults (20-30 years) and children are the primary demographic groups affected.
    • In children, HSV-1 autoinoculation is common, while adults are more frequently infected with HSV-2.

    Conclusions:

    • Herpetic whitlow presents with prodromal symptoms like burning and tingling, followed by erythema and vesicles.
    • Autoinoculation is a key transmission route, with differing HSV types prevalent in children versus adults.
    • Understanding these patterns aids in diagnosis and management of this viral skin infection.